BURGUNDY & PROVENCE 11 DAYS FROM $3,089 US Details below or
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Opportunities abound on this grand vacation to learn about France and to taste its sumptuous wines and cuisine. Your adventure begins with two overnights and guided sightseeing in Paris, the “City of Light.” Travel south to fascinating Beaune for a Burgundy wine tasting; then board your ship in quaint Chalon-sur-Saône and set sail for lovely Tournus, Mâcon, France’s gastronomic capital of Lyon, as well as medieval Tournon, charming Viviers, Avignon, and Arles. Your vacation ends with an overnight on the French Riviera, also known as the Cote d’Azur. This cruise vacation has it all—historic sites, charming towns, spectacular cuisine, and more!
Day 1 Arrive in Paris, France Welcome to Paris, France’s capital on the River Seine and the “City of Light,” where romance fills the air!
Day 2 Paris
Paris’ famous sights are living history: your included city sightseeing shows you magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its glass pyramid as a contrast to its ancient architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, Champs Elysées, and the Eiffel Tower, a structural miracle of its age. The city is well known for its colorful nightlife that includes some of the world’s most famous cabaret shows. (Breakfast)
Day 3 Paris–Beaune–Chalon-sur-Saône-(Embarkation)-Tournus
After breakfast, drive south past the forest of Fontainebleau, favorite hunting grounds of a long line of French kings, and into Burgundy. Beaune, the unofficial capital of the Côte d’Or area—which produces the region’s finest vintages—owes its wealth to the production, aging, and selling of fine wines. Its most famous historical site, the Hôtel-Dieu charity hospital, houses Van der Weyden’s painting of the Last Judgement and is one of France’s architectural highlights. Enjoy a TASTING of Burgundy wines before continuing south to Chalon-sur-Saône, where you’ll board your river cruise vessel. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception as your ship departs for Tournus. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 4 Tournus–Mâcon
After breakfast a local expert will show you the highlights of this delightful town, tucked away in the south-east corner of Burgundy. The town is one of the oldest and most important monastic centers in the region, with a superb ABBEY, St. Philibert, part of which dates back to the 10th century. Then there’s free time to stroll through the quaint streets or to explore the arts and crafts shops near the abbey. After lunch your ship departs for Mâcon, a city with a rich history that plays an important role in the wine trade. A choice of optional excursions, including a visit to a wine cellar, is available. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5 Beaujolais Region–Lyon
Enjoy a leisurely morning cruising on the Rhône. Lyon is France’s second-largest city and its gastronomic capital. Founded by the Romans in 43 BC, the city’s prosperity dates back to the 16th century and is due to commercial, industrial, and banking activities. Roman remains, many excellent museums, and much renaissance architecture delight the visitor. Survey the city from Fourvière Hill and explore the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, The World Heritage List includes over 800 properties with cultural and/or natural heritage of global significancewith its maze of medieval alleyways, Place des Terreaux, and the beautiful Place Bellecour. Beaujolais is the wine of the region and wine connoisseurs will know that the grapes must be hand picked. Tradition dictates that the “Beaujolais Nouveau” is tasted for the first time on the third Thursday of November each year. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6 Lyon
A free day in this fascinating city to explore at leisure. Early risers might like to visit the local produce market. Your Cruise Director will have plenty of suggestions for things to do. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7 Tournon/Tain l’Hermitage–Viviers
The twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage lie nestled among vineyards between the Rhône River and the granite slopes of the Hermitage. Tournon, with its imposing 16th-century castle and Roman ruins, is one of France’s oldest medieval cities. Another charming town, Viviers, was developed around its ROMANESQUE CATHEDRAL, and the OLD TOWN has an appealing mix of Christian, Roman, and medieval influences. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8 Avignon
The fortified city of Avignon is the capital of the Vaucluse region, the most picturesque part of Provence. Also referred to as the “City of Popes,” it was the center of the Catholic Church in the 14th century, and the city landscape is dominated by the grandiose PALACE OF THE POPES. A photo of the bridge of the popular song is a must, and optional outings to Pont du Gard or to the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape are available this afternoon. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 9 Arles–Camargue–Port St. Louis
On the northern tip of the Camargue, Arles is the capital of the Provence and was once known as the “Little Rome of Gaul.” See the church of St. Trophime; “Les Alyscamps,” the remains of the Gallo-Roman burial road; and visit the ROMAN AMPHITHEATER. Vincent Van Gogh was inspired by the special light of the Provence and spent a very productive year in Arles. The “Foundation Vincent Van Gogh” is a tribute to the artist. Depart Arles before dinner and enjoy tranquil scenes of the Camargue Regional Nature Park area as you sail to Port St. Louis in the Rhône delta. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 10 Port St. Louis (Disembarkation)–Côte d’Azur
After breakfast, a comfortable motorcoach ride takes you to the Côte d’Azur for a last night in France. Also known as the French Riviera, the Côte d’Azur stretches along France’s Mediterranean coast from Toulon to the Italian border. (Breakfast)
Day 11 Côte d’Azur
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
Highlights & Sightseeing
CRUISE:
Deluxe 7-night cruise from Chalon-sur-Saône to Port St. Louis in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds
PARIS:
Guided sightseeing
BEAUNE:
Orientation walk, see the Hôtel-Dieu; Burgundy wine tasting
CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE:
Welcome reception
TOURNUS:
Guided sightseeing, visit the Abbey of St. Philibert
LYON:
Guided sightseeing; picture stop on Fourvière Hill
TOURNON:
Orientation walk
VIVIERS:
Guided walk, visit Old Town and the cathedral
AVIGNON:
Guided sightseeing, visit Palace of the Popes
ARLES:
Guided sightseeing, visit the Roman Amphitheater
Meals
Full buffet breakfast in Paris and Côte d’Azur; superb dining with all meals on board daily featuring full breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including a welcome reception, Captain’s reception and farewell dinner; quality wines from Europe’s most famous wine regions with every dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements.
Hotels
PARIS Pullman Paris Montparnasse (SF); CÔTE D’AZUR Fairmont Monte Carlo (D)
Notes:
In the event of water level problems or any problems of a technical nature, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or to alter the program.
Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change is necessary, a substitute will be offered
Avalon Scenery
The Avalon Scenery is the ship to choose when cruising in France. France is known for its gastronomy, and the Avalon Scenery answers the call for remarkable cuisine with the finest chef-inspired recipes, 5-star service, and complimentary regional wines. Accommodating only 138 passengers in an elegant, contemporary design, the Avalon Scenery also offers deluxe staterooms and suites - most with floor-to-ceiling sliding-glass doors and French balconies - with all the comforts you'd want and expect on a vacation to France. A host of popular onboard amenities further enhances the cruise experience, including three lounges and a bar, an Internet corner, Sky Deck with deck chairs and whirlpool, elevator, hair salon, and fitness center.
Always Included
It's about you. You are the reason we've used our 80-plus years of travel expertise to design the very best river cruise experience. Inspired by you, we've taken everything special about river cruising and made it even better. Here are some of the features and amenities you'll experience on board our ships.
Panoramic windows throughout every ship.
Spacious designs provide personal space.
Included shore excursions with Local Guide.
Headsets for shore excursions.
Complimentary Wi-Fi access.
Personalized room options & excursions.
Highest-quality craftsmanship.
Premium coffees, cappuccinos and lattes.
Coffee self-serve beverage station.
A lounge serving premium spirit cocktails.
Maintain your routine in the fitness center.
The Comfort Collection by AvalonSM.
Premium L'Occitane bath amenities.
Daily early- and late-riser breakfast.
Full buffet breakfast with sparkling wine.
Complimentary juices with breakfast.
Made-to-order egg station at breakfast.
Complimentary soft drinks with lunch.
Chef-inspired regional recipes.
Four-course dinners with open seating.
Choice of appetizers, soups & salads.
Nightly option of entree, dessert or cheese.
Complimentary regional wines at dinner.
Free soft drinks or beer with dinner.
Night Fare served at 10:30 p.m.
Remarkable service through the cruise.
English-speaking crew.
Non-smoking interior.
Large bathrooms - showers w/ glass doors.
Flatscreen satellite TV with movie channels.
Spacious 3-door closets for ample storage.
And, much more.
Optional Excursions
Important Note:
the following list of optional excursions are examples only for this vacation as they are the excursions that are being offered for this vacation in the current travel year. These optional excursions might or might not be offered next year, as well as new optional excursions might be offered. Information about what optional excursions will be offered for your vacation will be available later this year into next year. If no example excursions are listed, please check back later.
Here's a list of optional excursions you can enjoy during your vacation. Whether it's a special dinner, a local show or a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into an historical site, optional excursions are a wonderful way to enrich your vacation even further. Plus, they give you flexibility. We include the must-see sites and experiences, and we also understand that people take interest in different activities and may want to craft a more personal vacation by hand-picking optional excursions that appeal to them.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, days of operation, group interests, and general feasibility for your vacation. The approximate value listed gives you a good, general idea of what you can expect to pay but may vary once you are on your vacation. Some information provided might be in a foreign currency.
CITY: Arles
In the footsteps of Vincent van Gogh
The name of Arles is closely connected with that of Vincent Van Gogh. It is impossible to evoke the light of Arles without thinking of his paintings. It was this luminosity that attracted Van Gogh to the south of France. Vincent arrived in Arles one day in February 1888 looking for the outside light but also seeking an interior illumination. Here he started a period of intense and impassioned work under the bright sunny skies of Provence. His stay in Arles was the most productive period of his life: the more than 300 paintings and drawings done in his 15 months here form one of the most brilliant chapters in the history of art. Even though there are no original paintings by Van Gogh in the city, the shadow of his presence is everywhere. Our excursion will show you some of the places that van Gogh immortalized in his paintings such as the Langlois bridge, Montmajour Abbey and St. Remy de Provence where he found asylum.
Approximate value: EUR €39 per person
White Horses, Pink Flamingos and the Fortified City of Aigues Mortes - the Camargue
Located between the two branches of the Rhone River (the Camargue is a delta with the Grand Rhone on the southeast side and the Petit Rhone on the southwest), these vast wetlands cover about 100,000 ha / 247,000 ac and represent the largest and one of the most secret wetlands in France. It is a territory created by man by diking the two branches of the Rhone and the seacoast. Man controls the fresh waters of the Rhone and the sea-coast. To the west is the town of Aigues-Mortes, a withdrawn medieval walled city which bore witness to exorable wars and conflicts, times of peace, centuries of glory and misery. Its towers and ramparts are marked by time, haunted by the mystery of their resistance. Nowadays, Aigues-Mortes turns to the Mediterranean sea and combines the secret of the past and the charm of the future.
Approximate value: EUR €39 per person
CITY: Avignon
Afternoon Excursion to the Pont du Gard and the city of Uzes
No other building in southern France is as famous as the Roman Aqueduct of the Pont du Gard. After a photo-stop, we continue towards Uzes, set in the severe yet charming garrigues countryside, overlooking the Alzon Valley. Take your time to stroll this charming city before your local expert accompanies you back to Avignon.
Approximate value: EUR €36 per person
An Afternoon in Provence
Peter Mayle and his book "A year in Provence" made this area world famous. We follow our local expert to the town of Roussillon, once site of a huge ochre quary. The dark orange-red of the soil and the lush green of the vegetation give a breathtaking contrast. Afterwards we follow the road of the lavender fields to Gordes. In June and July this area is full of the violet blue of this Provencal herbs
Approximate value: EUR €39 per person
Wine Tasting in Châteauneuf du Pape
When the Popes fled into exile, it was no coincidence that they chose Avignon as their retreat. We can only assume that their decision was influenced by the fact that some of France's best vineyards are in the close proximity to the city. The wines from Châteauneuf du Pape have become icons among French Wines. The warm sun of the Provence region creates a heavy-bodied wine with a ruby red color, rich in taste, with a bouquet of cherries and spices. During our excursion we will discuss the origin of the wines of this area, and the special soil and climate conditions. We will travel through extensive vineyards and stop for a wine tasting in one of the oldest domains of Châteauneuf du Pape.
Approximate value: EUR €44 per person
CITY: Lyon
Maison des Canuts
The Maison des Canuts is a living museum that reveals the richness and quality of the silk industry in Lyon and is the only place where manual looms, invented by Jacquard, are in use. You will find out more about the invention of Jacquard, the history of silk, the life of the canuts (silk workers of the 19th century) and how the regional textile industry has evolved since the late 20th century.
Approximate value: EUR €39 per person
Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé
Beaujolais wine is merely fun, not quite distinguished. But the countryside is lovely: rugged hills and winding roads, villages with ancient stone churches, forest ridges touched at sunset by tendrils of fog. It's like the wilder parts of Napa, but with church bells and châteaux. This excursion is not only about wine tasting, it is about the origin of wine , the golden stone hills, as the inhabitants call them, when the yellowish sedimentary rock glows in the evening light of a near sunset.
Approximate value: EUR €39 per person
Pérouges - as it was in medieval times.
Perched on his hill, Pérouges is a perfect example of a Middle Ages town. A village of craftsmen, it was never under the control of a lord; its inhabitants, farmers and linen weavers, already enjoyed their communal freedom as early as 1236. The village has no rich relics but can boast of an unequalled unity with its houses of the nobility and its more modest craftsmen's houses on the unevenly paved streets offering such a picturesque display. Conserved since 1911 by the Beaux Arts Commission and its own Defense Committee, it has attracted film producers who have used exterior shots in numerous French films including "The Three Musketeers".
Approximate value: EUR €39 per person
CITY: Macon
Chardonnay & Maconnais - Wine Tasting
Hardly any other white wine is so popular world-wide than the Chardonnay. This area located between Lyon and Macon is home to a whole variety of this fine and buttery white variety. But also the landscape has a lot to offer - rolling hills, covered with vineyards along the banks of the river Rhone, every now and then dotted with one of the countless castles of France. Explore the home of the Chardonnay grapes and taste some of its famous product of recent years.
Approximate value: EUR €39 per person
Cormatin - Palace of a fairy tale time
Cormatin is one of those secret sites that you find only if you leave the beaten track. It is an impressive but intimate water castle that stands in a beautiful park. Fireplaces, ceilings and paneling, tapestries and furniture of the period add to this evocation of life during the time of the "Three Musketeers". The drive there itself familiarizes you with the beautiful countryside of this part of France, where white Charolais cattle graze peacefully and where villages take on picture-book aspects with flowers in the front yards and narrow lanes, and where people still have the time to stop and chat.
Approximate value: EUR €35 per person
CITY: Nice
Grace, Glamour, Glitter - An Evening in Monaco
Two words which evoke a magical dream world. Monte-Carlo. We will try to help you discover the many facets of the Principality of Monaco. Monaco's exceptional location, between mountain and sea, its gardens, all qualities which make it the ideal destination for a romantic evening in an unforgettable setting. In 1997, Monaco was dressed up to the nines for the 700th anniversary of the Grimaldi Family Dynasty. We will start our evening with a dinner overlooking the bay of Monaco, and old Monte Carlo.
Approximate value: EUR €89 per person
CITY: Paris
Mona Lisa's Smile and the Louvre Museum
"Open to all since 1793" The Louvre Museum has embodied the concept of a truly "universal" institution. The priceless artworks housed in the Louvre are held for the benefit of present and future generations. The 35,000 works of art include such famous master pieces as the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Venus de Milo. Our local expert will bring them to life as we have a look at the most important pieces of the various collections.
Approximate value: EUR €48 per person
An Evening at the Moulin Rouge
The Moulin Rouge Theater is the epitome of French cabaret shows. Enjoy a dinner at the Moulin Rouge before you admire the colorful show "Féerie" featuring more than 100 artists and dancers, and more than 1000 costumes.
Approximate value: EUR €159 per person
Departure Dates: March - October
Prices From approx $3,089 US
per person based on double occupancy
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FORM
Opportunities abound on this grand vacation to learn about France and to taste its sumptuous wines and cuisine. Your adventure begins with two overnights and guided sightseeing in Paris, the “City of Light.” Travel south to fascinating Beaune for a Burgundy wine tasting; then board your ship in quaint Chalon-sur-Saône and set sail for lovely Tournus, Mâcon, France’s gastronomic capital of Lyon, as well as medieval Tournon, charming Viviers, Avignon, and Arles. Your vacation ends with an overnight on the French Riviera, also known as the Cote d’Azur. This cruise vacation has it all—historic sites, charming towns, spectacular cuisine, and more!